North West

NAPTOSA is aware of certain misinformation being circulated among educators regarding some recent developments and improvements in conditions of service and warns members not to be taken in by inaccurate assertions – get your accurate information from NAPTOSA!

NAPTOSA is aware of certain misinformation being circulated among educators regarding some recent developments and improvements in conditions of service and warns members not to be taken in by inaccurate assertions – get your accurate information from NAPTOSA!

One of the statements being made is that the gap between teachers’ salary notches will increase from 1% to 1,5% and that this adjustment will be back-dated to 2009.

Fact:The State is prepared to adjust the notches, as other public servants have 1,5% intervals between salary notches, BUT the State has NOT yet agreed to any implementation date and is still considering the matter – nothing has been finalised.

There is more to this story –it all began in 2008. In that year the OSD Framework agreement was signed in the ELRC. That agreement provided for salary progression (linked to the IQMS) of 3 notches (1% per notch) for each year for “satisfactory” performance. Three notches every two years is equal to 1,5% per year. Plus, that agreement included accelerated progression of 6 notches for “above average” performance and 9 notches for “outstanding” performance every two years.

In 2009, the Employer and Labour signed away the 2008 agreement and replaced it with one notch (1%) per annum for “satisfactory” performance and scrapped accelerated progression.NAPTOSA (and other unions in the CTU-ATU) did NOT sign the 2009 agreement.

Fact:The victory being celebrated by some now only returns teachers to the position they would have been in for the past 4 years had parties (excluding NAPTOSA and other unions in the CTU-ATU)notsigned away intervals of 1,5% – (ignoring where “above average” and “outstanding” teachers would have been if accelerated progression had not been signed away !)NAPTOSA’s reasoning was ignored and the Union was criticised for not signing the agreement. In terms of the 2009 agreement teachers, regardless of how excellent their performance, have progressed only five notches of 1% (and some with long service received the once off “recognition of experience”). Do the sums – calculate what you would have received over the past 4 years.

ALL the unions are currently in dispute with the Department about the “parity of notches” in an attempt to recover what some signed away in 2009 and bring educators on a par with other public servants’ 1,5% notch intervals.

There are many other inaccurate statements doing the rounds and NAPTOSA will provide clarity in due course.

RATIONALIZATION OF SCHOOLS

The Rationalization process of schools has already commenced and is at an advanced stage. NAPTOSA is serving on the Provincial Task Team. The Team is currently dealing with Phase 2 of Rationalization. We appeal to all members that are affected by the process to report urgently to the provincial office any challenges that affect them adversely.

The reports we receive from Departmental officials is that the process is progressing swiftly without any serious hiccups. Should there be any contradictions to these assertions, we shall appreciate members bringing this to the attention of the CEO.